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Free IRS 1040 Form

The IRS 1040 form is a standard individual income tax return used by taxpayers in the United States to report their annual income and calculate their tax liability. This essential document allows individuals to claim deductions, credits, and determine whether they owe taxes or are entitled to a refund. Understanding how to accurately complete the 1040 form is crucial for compliance and financial planning; take the first step by filling out your form using the button below.

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Free IRS 1040 Form

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Contents

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Form

1040

Department of the Treasury—Internal Revenue Service

(99)

U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

2021

OMB No. 1545-0074

IRS Use Only—Do not write or staple in this space.

Filing Status

Check only one box.

	Single		Married filing jointly		Married filing separately (MFS)		Head of household (HOH)		Qualifying widow(er) (QW)

If you checked the MFS box, enter the name of your spouse. If you checked the HOH or QW box, enter the child’s name if the qualifying person is a child but not your dependent ▶

Your first name and middle initial

Last name

Your social security number

If joint return, spouse’s first name and middle initial

Last name

Spouse’s social security number

Home address (number and street). If you have a P.O. box, see instructions.

Apt. no.

Presidential Election Campaign

Check here if you, or your

spouse if filing jointly, want $3

City, town, or post office. If you have a foreign address, also complete spaces below.

State

ZIP code

to go to this fund. Checking a

box below will not change

Foreign country name

Foreign province/state/county

Foreign postal code

your tax or refund.

You

Spouse

At any time during 2021, did you receive, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any financial interest in any virtual currency?

Yes

Standard

Someone can claim:

You as a dependent

Your spouse as a dependent

Deduction

Spouse itemizes on a separate return or you were a dual-status alien

Age/Blindness You:

Were born before January 2, 1957

Are blind

Spouse:

Was born before January 2, 1957

Is blind

Dependents (see instructions):

(2) Social security

(3) Relationship

(4) ✔ if qualifies for (see instructions):

If more

(1) First name

Last name

number

to you

Child tax credit

Credit for other dependents

than four

dependents,

see instructions

and check

here ▶

Attach

Wages, salaries, tips, etc. Attach Form(s) W-2

Tax-exempt interest . . .

b Taxable interest

. . . .

Sch. B if

Qualified dividends . . .

b Ordinary dividends . . . .

required.

IRA distributions . . . .

b Taxable amount

Pensions and annuities . .

b Taxable amount

Standard

Social security benefits . .

b Taxable amount

Deduction for—

Capital gain or (loss). Attach Schedule D if required. If not required, check here .

. . . ▶

• Single or

Other income from Schedule 1, line 10

Married filing

separately,

Add lines 1, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7, and 8. This is your total income

▶

$12,550

• Married filing

Adjustments to income from Schedule 1, line 26

jointly or

Subtract line 10 from line 9. This is your adjusted gross income

. . . . . . . . .

▶

Qualifying

widow(er),

Standard deduction or itemized deductions (from Schedule A)

. .

12a

$25,100

Charitable contributions if you take the standard deduction (see instructions)

12b

• Head of

household,

Add lines 12a and 12b

12c

$18,800

• If you checked

Qualified business income deduction from Form 8995 or Form 8995-A

any box under

Add lines 12c and 13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Standard

Deduction,

Taxable income. Subtract line 14 from line 11. If zero or less, enter -0-

see instructions.

For Disclosure, Privacy Act, and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see separate instructions.

Cat. No. 11320B

Form 1040 (2021)


Form 1040 (2021)	Page 2


	16	Tax (see instructions). Check if any from Form(s): 1		8814	2	4972			3			. .		16
	17	Amount from Schedule 2, line 3						. . . . . . . .						17
	18	Add lines 16 and 17						. . . . . . . .						18
	19	Nonrefundable child tax credit or credit for other dependents from Schedule 8812												19
	20	Amount from Schedule 3, line 8						. . . . . . . .						20
	21	Add lines 19 and 20						. . . . . . . .						21
	22	Subtract line 21 from line 18. If zero or less, enter -0-						. . . . . . . .						22
	23	Other taxes, including self-employment tax, from Schedule 2, line 21 .						. . . . . . . .						23
	24	Add lines 22 and 23. This is your total tax						. . . . .			. .		▶	24
	25	Federal income tax withheld from:
	a	Form(s) W-2							25a
	b	Form(s) 1099							25b
	c	Other forms (see instructions)							25c
	d	Add lines 25a through 25c						. . . . . . . .						25d
If you have a	26	2021 estimated tax payments and amount applied from 2020 return . .						. . . . . . . .						26
If you have a	27a	Earned income credit (EIC)							27a
qualifying child,	27a	Earned income credit (EIC)							27a
attach Sch. EIC.		Check here if you were born after January 1, 1998, and before

		January 2, 2004, and you satisfy all the other requirements for
		taxpayers who are at least age 18, to claim the EIC. See instructions ▶
	b	Nontaxable combat pay election . . . .		27b
	c	Prior year (2019) earned income . . . .		27c
	28	Refundable child tax credit or additional child tax credit from Schedule 8812							28
	29	American opportunity credit from Form 8863, line 8							29
	30	Recovery rebate credit. See instructions							30
	31	Amount from Schedule 3, line 15							31
	32	Add lines 27a and 28 through 31. These are your total other payments and refundable credits											▶	32
	33	Add lines 25d, 26, and 32. These are your total payments . . . .						. . . . .			. .		▶	33
Refund	34	If line 33 is more than line 24, subtract line 24 from line 33. This is the amount you overpaid										. .		34
Refund	35a	Amount of line 34 you want refunded to you. If Form 8888 is attached, check here . .									.	▶		35a
	35a										.	▶		35a
Direct deposit?	▶ b	Routing number			▶ c Type:				Checking			Savings
See instructions.	▶ d	Account number
	36	Amount of line 34 you want applied to your 2022 estimated tax .				.	▶		36
Amount	37	Amount you owe. Subtract line 33 from line 24. For details on how to pay, see instructions										.	▶	37
You Owe	38	Estimated tax penalty (see instructions) . . .		. . . . .		.	▶		38
Third Party	Do	you want to allow another person to discuss this return with the IRS? See
Designee	instructions		. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .					.	▶	Yes. Complete below.					No
	Designee’s			Phone						Personal identification
	name ▶			no. ▶						number (PIN) ▶

Sign

Here

Joint return? See instructions. Keep a copy for your records.

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than taxpayer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.

Your signature	Date	Your occupation	If the IRS sent you an Identity
			Protection PIN, enter it here
			(see inst.) ▶
Spouse’s signature. If a joint return, both must sign.	Date	Spouse’s occupation	If the IRS sent your spouse an
▲			Identity Protection PIN, enter it here
			(see inst.) ▶
Phone no.	Email address

Paid

Preparer’s name

Preparer’s signature

Date

PTIN

Check if:

Self-employed

Preparer

Firm’s name ▶

Phone no.

Use Only

Firm’s address ▶

Firm’s EIN

▶

Go to www.irs.gov/Form1040 for instructions and the latest information.

Form 1040 (2021)

Common mistakes

Filling out the IRS 1040 form can be a daunting task for many individuals. One common mistake is failing to report all sources of income. This includes wages, freelance earnings, and interest from bank accounts. Omitting any income can lead to penalties or audits.

Another frequent error is incorrect filing status selection. Choosing the wrong status can affect tax rates and eligibility for certain credits. For example, selecting "Single" instead of "Head of Household" can result in a higher tax liability.

Many people also overlook the importance of signing and dating the form. A signature is required for the return to be considered valid. Without it, the IRS may reject the submission, causing delays and potential penalties.

Calculating tax credits can be tricky. Individuals often make mistakes when claiming deductions or credits for which they do not qualify. This can lead to underpayment or overpayment of taxes. It's crucial to double-check eligibility before claiming any tax benefits.

Another mistake is not keeping adequate records. Taxpayers should maintain receipts and documents that support their income and deductions. Without proper documentation, it can be challenging to substantiate claims if questioned by the IRS.

Some filers fail to check for math errors. Simple addition or subtraction mistakes can alter the total tax liability. Using tax software or a calculator can help minimize these errors, but manual calculations require careful attention.

Additionally, neglecting to review the form for missing information is a common oversight. Failing to fill in required fields can result in processing delays. Each section of the form must be complete for the IRS to process the return efficiently.

People often forget to include their bank account information for direct deposit. This can lead to delays in receiving refunds. Providing accurate banking details ensures that refunds are deposited quickly and securely.

Another mistake involves not filing on time. Missing the deadline can result in penalties and interest on unpaid taxes. Filing for an extension is an option, but it’s important to estimate and pay any owed taxes by the original deadline to avoid additional charges.

Finally, many individuals fail to seek help when needed. Tax laws can be complex, and professional assistance may be beneficial. Consulting with a tax professional can help avoid mistakes and ensure compliance with IRS regulations.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the IRS 1040 form, it is essential to approach the process with care and attention to detail. Here are some important dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

Do gather all necessary documents before starting, such as W-2s, 1099s, and receipts.
Do double-check your personal information, including your Social Security number and filing status.
Do report all sources of income accurately to avoid penalties.
Do take advantage of available deductions and credits to minimize your tax liability.

Don't rush through the form; take your time to ensure accuracy.
Don't ignore any instructions provided by the IRS; they are there to help you.
Don't forget to sign and date your return before submitting it.
Don't neglect to keep a copy of your completed form for your records.

⇓ PDF

Similar forms

W-2 Form: The W-2 form is similar to the IRS 1040 form in that both are used for reporting income. While the W-2 reports wages and tax withholdings from an employer, the 1040 serves as the annual income tax return where individuals report all sources of income, including wages, interest, and dividends.
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1099 Form: Like the IRS 1040, the 1099 form is used to report income, but it is specifically for income earned from sources other than an employer, such as freelance work or investment income. Taxpayers must include this information on their 1040 when filing their annual tax return.
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Form 1098: The Form 1098 is used to report mortgage interest paid during the tax year. This document is similar to the IRS 1040 form as it provides information that taxpayers can use to claim deductions on their 1040, potentially reducing their taxable income.

Free IRS 1040 Form

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